'Well, Frank, tell them about the chemistry,' Dr. Sanford said after making introductions all around.
'That's fairly easy except you only got a small part of the equation. This is a portion of an equation that I believe describes a process for the conversion of wood fiber into something like an alcohol or a methanol. Unfortunately, you didn't get the interesting part. Nothing in the middle or the end. I'd love to see it. My gut tells me they are on to something new.'
'Could it be valuable?'
'Turning wood into liquid gold? Yeah, it could be valuable. How valuable is Saudi Arabia if its wells never run dry? A new process to convert wood to fuel that's cheaper and maybe more efficient and you have something analogous to Saudi Arabia with no end in the oil supply. You can always grow a new tree.'
'Does whoever wrote this have such a process?'
'It looks interesting, but I need the rest.'
'So all we can discern is that they are turning wood into a fuel, like a petroleum substitute.'
'I think you have it.'
They were on their way to La Jolla and Maria's parents. Maria's mother had met them at the airport upon their arrival and had taken Nate home while they proceeded to the university. Now Dan couldn't resist asking, 'Is there something you haven't told me about all this? You've been nervous all day.'
'Like what?'
'Like why a hard-driving businessman would be home in the early afternoon to see a daughter with whom he has only a formal, chilly-I believe that is the word- relationship. Like why you're nervous about it.'
'Do I look nervous?' she asked. 'You know it's really irritating when you smirk like that. And I said that it was a slowly thawing, chilly relationship.'
'What's the matter?' he asked. '
Well, maybe this whole business of taking Nate to the zoo looks a little like something it's not.'
'We've gone over that ad nauseam.'
'So we have.'
'But my parents may not believe we're all business. That we're just doing this to get away from this mess and for Nate.'
'So?'
'So my father may want to meet you.'
''This is the father whom you barely speak to. Why would you care?'
'It's complicated. We're in the end stage of the fight. The maneuvering stage. So just try to get through it the best you can. I'm debating on going inside by myself to pick up Nate.'
'I'm that much of an embarrassment?'
'No. Don't you get it? You represent Jeb Otran. You're fucking perfect. He'll fawn all over you. He'll want to smoke cigars, drink bourbon, and do whatever it is you business guys do when you're sniffing around each other's butts.'
'Can't really say as I'm familiar with this butt-sniffing ritual.'
'You know what I mean.'
''I think you mean you're terrified I'll get along famously with your father, something you can't do, and you'll be mad as hell.'
'You could help me out here, you know. Just a quick introduction and explain how anxious you are to get Nate to the zoo.'
'Why don't you just tell him I have pink hearts on my boxer shorts? Maybe I've turned gay or something.'
'You're going to torture me, aren't you?'
'Maybe not. Say, not to change the subject, but how is your boyfriend, Ross?'
'I think he's fine. We haven't seen each other a lot recently.'
'Does he know you're turning lukewarm?'
'Beg pardon?'
'Oh, come on, I thought we were the no-bullshit team.'
Maria looked away. 'I think he thinks we're just taking a little breather.'
'From sleeping together?'
Maria smiled and shook her head as if shocked by the question. 'Candor is one thing. Rude is another.'
'Well, you can tell me to shut up.'
'Good. Shut up.'
'Look, it's no big deal, maybe Ross would like to go to the zoo with us.'
'Dan?'
'Yes.'
'Stop it. We're absolutely clear on what we're about.'
'Absolutely clear. So me having a drink with your dad, a little talk, shouldn't hurt anything?'
'That's it. You wait in the car. I'll get Nate.'
'Awfully rude, don't you think? Not to say even hello?'
'Please don't do this to me.'
'We could make a deal. I won't say anything about us to your dad if you'll tell me about Ross.'
'There is no 'us.' '
'Right, and I'll make that perfectly crystal clear if you tell me about Ross.'
'It depends on what you want to know.'
'He's a biologist, isn't he? Works for the state? What level is he?'
'If you're suggesting my father doesn't like him for his occupation, you're wrong. Even my father isn't quite that crass.'
'Why doesn't he like him?'
'Because Ross is a very calm sort of even-tempered guy who doesn't go off the deep end about things. Are you happy?'
'When I've seen him, he sure hasn't been calm.'
'I mean about life, not about you.'
'You mean he's unambitious.'
'You can really be a jerk, you know.'
'You've got chutzpah. Your dad probably just wants an even match in a husband.'
'You and my dad, with your power trips.' She shook her head. 'He's gonna love you. So just don't let him get the wrong idea. Please.'
19
Kenji sat beneath a crystal chandelier at the Bankers Club, a private luncheon establishment known for its good food and fast service. Often he stayed in San Francisco and worked in the city offices instead of driving to the operations headquarters for Amada in Palmer.
'I'm worried about exactly what Schneider got out of Kim Lee,' he said to Groiter.
'You have my report. Nothing but a mention of bats and Catherine Swanson.'
'What about Catherine Swanson?'
'He was incoherent. Said Catherine Swanson was in his briefcase or something. We looked and there was nothing of Catherine Swanson.'
'Do you believe her?'
'In a word, yes. She might hide a few things. On the whole we have an understanding.'
'Because you beat her senseless?'
'No, it's much deeper than that.'
'What do you mean?'
'I think I know what makes her tick.'
